Christmas Trees I Remember. . . .My First and My Last

THERE was never a Christmas tree again like the first tree I remember. It shimmered and winked, a splendor of tinsel come by magic into the parlor. The balls on its branches glittered gold and blue and crimson, each bigger than both my fists. Among the green boughs, part of the wonderful shine, were stars and angels. On the topmost branch an iridescent bird with a feathery silver tail sang silently.